Low-temperature heat capacity of dysprosium diboride

A novel microcalorimeter based on a miniature liquid-in-glass thermometer is described. Heat is transduced into an optical, rather than electrical, signal, facilitating a future array format. The instrument performs batch analysis (drop mixing) with a 2 μL sample volume. Energy changes of 4 μJ produced by a dilution of sulfuric acid are resolvable. The effect of evaporation, and measures taken to limit it, are discussed.